Read and Watch Your Life Change

[Andrew Michaels]

I've written a new blog about reading books. Everyone knows they should be reading them, yet statistically, few do. I've written about why it's some important here.

Hope you enjoy it.

[nick pagan]

I tried to post this comment on your blog but I kept getting an error so I'm posting it here instead

I agree that having an expansive vocabulary and being well-read makes a difference but there are lots of sources of reading material other than books. Why bother going to a library when you've got Wikipedia and blogs and websites galore on all manner of topics and mostly for free? The Gutenberg project even has copywrite expired e-books of all the major classics (and a growing number of obscure titles) for free! Statistics for book reading alone don't reveal levels of reading overall - especially in today's wired world.

Books are just an ancient form of communication. A form that is now being replaced by much better forms of communication. The important thing is that people are communicating like never before and much of it through the medium of writing.

I've written a post about a favorite author of mine who has given up writing books and the reasons why I find that a tragedy in today's digital world where publishing has never been easier. It illustrates how easily people get distracted by symptoms of a problem and often miss out on solving the real problem at the heart of everything.

Benjamin Hoff - The Real Problem

[jippykid]

Originally Posted by nick pagan

Books are just an ancient form of communication. A form that is now being replaced by much better forms of communication.

I'd like to respectfully disagree here, though not just to argue. I find that there are many times having a book to read is more convenient than reading through a less ancient form of communication. The following are a few instances in which it doesn't make sense to haul out the laptop:

-waiting in line at the <insert any place with long lines>
-flights, especially short ones for which it doesn't make sense to rustle your neighbor to get your laptop out after takeoff. By the time you get everything out an ready, you're on your way down to land. And if the guy in front of you decides to recline, forget about using it.
-baths - reading in a hot bath is one of the great joys in my life
-using the loo. have you tried balancing a laptop while you're trying to... well, you get my point.
-perfect, not too hot summer and not too cold winter mornings outside in my backyard with a cup of coffee. It just doesn't seem right staring at a screen in this setting.

In fairness, there are a few times it just makes good sense to use technology as a medium:

-late at night when the lights are off
-relaxing at work
-researching while reading

I just don't think that books are going anywhere. The written word has been around for thousands of years, and the books of today do not look that different than books did when they were first printed (by hand or otherwise).

Originally Posted by nick pagan

The important thing is that people are communicating like never before and much of it through the medium of writing.

Here, Nick, I couldn't agree more.

[nick pagan]

JippyKid,

It would have been more prudent if I had used the word 'complemented' rather than 'replaced' as that's more accurate and realistic!

I too still enjoy the feel and utility of a book in the places that you mention.

Nick

[The David]

I like that article. Since it is about reading, I feel obligated to point out that I found two grammatical errors. I won't point them out here.

Before I came to college, I was an avid reader. College just kind of sucked the fun out of it, I guess. With the amount of conflicting viewpoints in books, I wouldn't assume that reading automatically imparts valuable knowledge, but it helps to 'move' parts of your brain that might otherwise be motionless.

And I agree with Jippy. I love eBooks, audiobooks, internet articles, and other more 'progressive' forms of information, but it's frustrating that I can't just pick them up and start reading. I'll wonder where I left off, I'll have to stare at a glaring computer screen, and stay in my room for hours. I think we need all of these different forms.

[Calisto]

I too tried to post to your site and got an error message. Thought I might be doing something wrong. Hope you don't mind if I post this here. I wrote it and would hate to see it go to waste.


I totally agree. There is also the fact that by reading books on whatever it is that interests us the most gives our brain time to process the information. Something that just doesn't happen when we are skimming the news papers or surfing the net or being given some advice - it just doesn't get time to 'stick'. I didn't do to well in school but thankfully I love books and I love to read. I have gone through my share of self-help books and personal and spiritual growth books and some heavier stuff too. I'm glad I did. I don't read news papers or watch TV because I feel very frustrated at times that we don't get the whole story only the reporters or the editors take on it. I have many curious interests, Religion, Psychology, Spirituality, and those big life questions like where did we come from and why are we here. I tend to read many books on the same subject and then make up my own mind.

.

[Andrew Michaels]

I wonder why everyone is having problems. I've been able to comment and two others have as well.

[Calisto]

It was probably me then doing something wrong.

[Marco Polo]

Although I prefer reading internet material and shorter articles, I can see huge advantages in reading books. These days everything is made to be fast - I can get fast food in 1 minute, read a Steve Pavlina article in 5 minutes and reach anyone I want almost instantly on my mobile. Reading books is one of those rare things that requires commitment - you actually have to set aside a few hourse to make good progress. That being said I use books to help me fall asleep more than to educate me.

[nick pagan]

Marco Polo,

What's your favorite book for curing insomnia? For me it's probably "The A to Z of Numbers"

What keeps me up at night is "Russian Torture" by Wrenchya Ballsov

When I'm snuggled up in bed with my girlfriend we greatly enjoy the adventure story, "Spunk on the Wall" by Mister Completely

[drummbellina]

I really hope books stick around! I love to go to the library and just wander round looking in all different sections grabbing books that get my attention. Then I go to one of the comfy reading areas and settle down with them for a couple of hours. I always leave the library inspired about something.

[prats]

On the fun side, this discussion turned out to be e-reading vs book reading..

I too was thinking about this for a while and my opinion is a book gives deep perspective (could be a e-book ) of a single author.vs internet reading ,or googling gives several perspectives of various authors...It depends on what your problem at hand is, if you are trying to solve a straight problem at hand then all you need is google it find it and fix it, if you are trying to master something or get indepth realization of something, get couple of good books in that area and all your senses will thank you...

but as already pointed out reading a good book in a lovely atmosphere (be it a cozy room or on a beach) ,resting book on your chest giving a deep thought, sigh and resuming it..is the magic and power of books.